Srishti Jaipuria, M.U.R.P ’23, was awarded Graduate Student of the Year at the Michigan Difference Student Leadership Awards (MDSLA) on Thursday, March 23, 2023. These campus-wide awards recognize “student leaders doing amazing things on campus, in Michigan, and around the world.”
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive the Graduate Student of the Year award, ” said Jaipuria. “ My graduate journey has been challenging, but it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have learned so much during my time here, not just from the academic courses but also from my peers. They have pushed me to be the best version of myself and challenged me to think beyond my perspective.”
“Srishti is an advocate for her peers and the betterment of the University of Michigan community. She has increased awareness of the work she and her peers are doing in areas such as climate impact, conservation, sustainability, challenging systems of inequity in the built environment, and much more. Her involvement extends far beyond the classroom to multiple student organizations,” said Elh Shine, Taubman College digital marketing manager.
Jaipuria is known for her exceptional strategic planning skills, with particular attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She seeks opportunities to volunteer and lends her talents and time to multiple student organizations and to planning student events like a welcome event for international students and a Diwali celebration at Taubman College which nearly 150 students participated in. She also started a mentorship program for international students which helps students navigate resources and get answers to their queries easily.
“Srishti has not only shared her time and expertise with current students as they transition to a new educational and living environment but also worked to ensure these efforts are sustainable for years to come,” said Kristin McDonough, associate director of student affairs at Taubman College.
Jaipuria’s volunteer activities are in addition to her research which recently earned her the 2023 Paula Hammond Legacy Leadership Scholarship Award from the WTS Foundation for her work to advance transportation innovation.
“Srishti is an exceptional young woman. She fully engages in everything she does, in and outside the classroom. Srishti has demonstrated a deep commitment in her support of her classmates. I am confident she will be a leader in transportation planning,” said Larissa Larsen, chair of urban and regional planning.
Jaipuria feels lucky to have so many people at Taubman College and beyond cheering her on. She said, “This award is not just a recognition of my achievements but also a reflection of the incredible support system I have had throughout my graduate studies. I could not have accomplished this without the unwavering support and encouragement of the incredible people at Taubman College and friends in Ann Arbor, who have now become my family! I feel extremely fortunate to have people who are more excited than me to see me get recognized for all my work.”
